FFA Week: At a Glance
What exactly is FFA Week?
FFA week is during the days of February 20-27th, in which every FFA chapter in America participates in the advocation of the importance of agriculture and the FFA organization in their school and community. Students conduct activities that are related to what they do as a member of the FFA, as well as use social media as an outreach to other chapters and peers.
A Look Into The Past
FFA Week began in 1947, when the National FFA Board of Directors recognized the week of George Washington’s birthday as National FFA Week due to his lifetime commitment to Agriculture and farming. It was not always a whole week, at first, it was “National FFA Day” where chapters could publicize their impact on the community and their Father/Son Banquets could be held.
What Does An FFA Week Look Like?
As a committee or a Chapter Officer Team, there are many activities that can involve your community, school, and even alumni.
During National FFA Week, SLO FFA hikes the hill behind their campus and spells “FFA” for their school and community to see.
Here is a look into the San Luis Obispo Chapter National FFA Week:
Monday: A few members of the FFA Week Committee climb about halfway up the hill behind our school. Using large white sheets, we spell out “FFA”, which can be seen throughout most of San Luis Obispo. During this day we also put up flyers and posters, as well as pass out FFA stickers in front of the school before class begins to bring attention to the peers not in our organization.
Pictured is a combination of our Ag Science classes and FFA Week Committee who hiked the hill in the morning in order to set up the message.
Tuesday: This day is when we go down into the quad at lunch and conduct mixers and games, usually the same ones that we perform in Leadership class to promote the the non farming aspect of FFA. Some examples of games that we play are “Marvin the Martian” as seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aw5NBIUYs4c and “Baby, Bronco, Backpack” showed in our tutorial video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBOcWjmMSSA&list=PLyqZXxoO3f4zENfhA8-LNWg38Esy0Dhir
Students from SLO FFA’s FFA Week Committee show off their spirit at lunch to get others involved in activities.
Wednesday: We host a petting zoo in the quad at lunch on this day. FFA members bring their rabbits, goats, miniature horses, and other animals from home to display to the rest of the school. Students are able to pet and ask questions about the animals and are informed about their importance to the Agriculture industry.
Thursday: On this day, students come to school dressed in their blue and gold to show pride for their FFA chapter. Blue and gold beads are passed out before school in the morning. To involve our teachers, we have organized a teacher’s breakfast with local produce and commodities, along with signs explaining where their food comes from and how Ag is part of our life. That night we conduct a Scavenger Hunt in our local Farmer’s Market, where we encourage not only students to compete against each other, but the other clubs at our school.
Chapter Officer Team, including (left to right) Kalena Cirone, Hannah Ryan, Advisor Anna Bates, Luke O’Leary, Callan Treur and Amber Bjerre dress up in their blue and gold to publicize spirit day during FFA Week.
Friday: The last school day of FFA week consists of a free pizza lunch for active participants throughout the week. During this activity we conduct “chicken walk”, where a chicken is set down on a grid. Students are assigned to a square, and if the chicken walks to their square they win a prize!
It’s Important!
National FFA Week gives Chapters a chance to get involved with their school and community. Through all of our efforts we advocate the need for agriculture in our growing population, and the impact is has on every single person.
Check out this video to see the first of many videos to be shown throughout FFA Week, this one entitled “What is FFA?”